I have a question that I have yet to get an answer for, is anyone familiar with vulture hocks? and how to get rid of them in your flock? heeeelp!
Believe we have discussed this multiple times.
Simplified info is. Vulture hocks are recessive, Bird must recieve a copy from both parents to show full blown VH. A bird showing vulture hocks( 2 copies) has no option but to pass a copy to all it's chicks. A bird recieving only 1 copy will have normal looking hocks, but still pass this recessive trait to 50% of it's chicks.
If all the birds in your flock have vulture hocks, there is no getting away from it, without bringing in new clean hocked stock. You then could try to breed these into your existing flock, and after many years of only using clean hocked birds in your breeding pens, and test mating to see which of these clean hocked birds are also carrying 1 hidden copy, you could if diligent enough clean up your flock. You would be way ahead time and money wise to purchase the best line of historically clean hocked birds of you chosen varietity, if available.
Like I said this is the simplified explanation, there are varying degrees, and multiple enhancers, at play here as well.
I see by your tagline we are likely talking about dark bantams here, if line of clean legged birds can not be found, and if you have the time, resources, and commitment to stick with such a project, you could outcross to good lights and then breed back for color, hock, and type of course.
